Agriculture and Natural Resources

FSA2042 Establishing a Lawn From Sod

Aaron Patton Warm-season grasses popular in sodding, follow the steps outlined in Assistant Professor - Arkansas, such as bermudagrass this publication. It may not be practi­ Turfgrass Specialist (Cynodon spp.), zoysiagrass (Zoysia cal to do everything listed here, but spp.), St. Augustinegrass (Steno­ successful sodding should always John Boyd taphrum secundatum) and centipede- include detailed attention to soil grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides), are preparation, site grading and water­ Professor - usually established from sprigs, plugs ing, as they are integral steps in the Weed Scientist or sod. Tall fescue (Festuca arundi­ installation process. nacea), a cool-season grass, is also available by sod. Sodding is fast and General Sod Specifications reliable compared to the additional time and inputs needed to establish a The sod should be: lawn from seed. Table 1 lists species 1. Guaranteed as to type and cultivar and cultivars of sod available in of turfgrass requested and of uni­ Arkansas. For more information about form height, color and texture. choosing the best adapted species and Blue-tag certified sod is available cultivars for your lawn, see FSA2112, from some producers in Arkansas Choosing a Grass for Arkansas Lawns. through a program administered The easiest way to install sod is by the Arkansas State Plant to hire a landscaper. Should you Board. This blue-tag certification decide to save money and do your own guarantees consumers they are, in

Table 1. Turfgrass species and cultivars available by sod and suitable for Arkansas lawns.

Cultivars With Sod Availability Species for Arkansas Lawns Cost/yd2†

Bermudagrass ‘Celebration’, Common, ‘Midlawn’, ‘Patriot’, $1.25 - $1.50 ‘Quickstand’, ‘Tifsport’, ‘Tifway’ and others

Centipedegrass ‘TennTurf’ and others $3.00 - $3.50

Tall fescue‡ ‘Apache’, ‘Avenger’, ‘Barvado’, ‘Bonanza’, $3.00 - $4.50 ‘Cayenne’, ‘Cochise III’, ‘Durana’, ‘Dynasty’, ‘Finelawn Elite’, ‘Firebird’, ‘Greenkeeper’, ‘Guardian’, ‘Inferno’, ‘Jaguar’, ‘Justice’, ‘Master- piece’, ‘Millennium’, ‘2nd Millennium’, ‘Planta- tion’, ‘Rebel’, ‘Rebel II’, ‘Rebel Exeda’, ‘Red Coat’, ‘Rembrandt’, ‘Scorpio’, ‘Shenandoah’, ‘Solara’, ‘Turbo’, ‘Watchdog’ and others

Arkansas Is St. Augustinegrass ‘Raleigh’, ‘Palmetto’ and others $3.00 - $4.00 Our Campus Zoysiagrass ‘Cavalier’, ‘Crowne’, ‘El Toro’, ‘Emerald’, $2.00 - $4.00 ‘Meyer’, ‘Palisades’, ‘Zorro’ and others

†Costs vary by cultivar and sod producer. Approximate costs listed. Visit our web site at: ‡Tall fescue sod often contains 10% bluegrass or netting to help the sod hold together since tall fescue https://www.uaex.uada.edu lacks rhizomes and stolons.

University of Arkansas, United States Department of Agriculture, and County Governments Cooperating fact, purchasing the species lawn. Sod is typically sold as 5. Rough grade. and cultivar they have square yards. Therefore, the total requested. square feet of the area should be If extensive grading is neces­ divided by nine in order to deter­ sary, stockpile existing topsoil and 2. Relatively free of weeds, mine how many square yards of replace it after the rough grade is insects and diseases. sod you need to order. Typically, set. The rough grade should slope gradually away from the house at 3. Thin cut (1/2 to 3/4 inch of one pallet of sod will contain least 15 feet in all directions. A soil) of uniform thickness. Soil about 50 yd2 of sod or about 1-foot drop in 50 feet will usually texture of the sod should 450 ft2. Order about 10 percent supply adequate surface drainage. closely match the soil texture more sod than you anticipate Mowing and erosion problems of the existing lawn soil. needing to account for calculation may arise when slopes steeper errors and waste that occurs than 4:1 (1 foot drop every 4 feet) 4. Moist, freshly cut sod deliv­ when cutting sod around corners ered within 24 hours of har­ and edges. are established. Alternatives to a vest and protected from sun steep grade include terraces, and wind during transport. 3. Control perennial weeds. retaining walls or planting a ground cover. 1. Soil test. If perennial weeds or undesirable grasses exist on the 6. Replace topsoil. A soil test provides key site, the first step is weed control information including pH, potas­ Redistribute or add topsoil. (Figure 1). A typical example is a sium and phosphorus levels of This is necessary on sites with common bermudagrass yard soil. Soil testing is free through poor soil fertility. Approximately renovation to zoysiagrass. In this county Cooperative Extension Ser­ 19 cubic yards of topsoil create a case, it is important to control the vice offices. Collect soil samples in layer 6 inches deep over 1,000 bermudagrass before planting. a plastic bucket from the upper 4 square feet. If suitable topsoil is Roundup (glyphosate) is the to 6 inches of soil from ten or not available, modify the existing most commonly used herbicide more locations around the yard. soil. If the topsoil lacks organic for preplant weed control. Make Remove any vegetative material matter, incorporate peat, decom­ the spray solution by adding such as stems and leaves. Air-dry posed manure, composted chicken 2 2/3 ounces of 41 percent and mix the samples thoroughly. litter or composted rice hulls at 1 Roundup per gallon of water. Take about 1 pint of the mixture to 3 cubic yards per 1,000 square Glyphosate is sold under many feet. Mix these materials with to the county Extension office for trade names other than Roundup. analysis. Make sure to test your the native soil at least 6 to 8 soil at least two months prior to Concentrations of these other inches deep. establishing your lawn. This will formulations vary from 1 to 41 allow ample time to receive the percent. Always read the label results of your soil test as well as before using. Do not expect com­ provide time to apply and incorpo­ plete control of bermudagrass rate recommended nutrients prior after applying Roundup once. to laying sod. If topsoil is needed Research indicates it takes three from off-site, it is necessary to applications of Roundup over the have this soil tested as well. growing season (waiting 3 to 4 weeks for regrowth before making 2. Determine area. the next application) to achieve greater than 90 percent control. A key step in establishing a Figure 1. Bare soil clean of weeds prior to sod installation. lawn by sod is to determine the 4. Remove trash. size of the lawn. This will aid in calculating how much sod, lime Remove all wood, concrete, 7. Apply amendments. and fertilizer you will need to pipe, rock and construction scrap order to establish the lawn. The to prevent interference with turf- Uniformly apply nitrogen, best way to do this is to divide grass root growth and water move­ phosphorous, potassium and lime your lawn into several squares, ment. Insist the builder not use according to soil test recommenda­ rectangles or circles. Calculate the site as a dumping ground for tions (Tables 2 and 3). Thoroughly the area of these smaller shapes paint, concrete, etc. Stumps not mix lime, fertilizer and organic and then add them together to removed will eventually decay, amendments into the upper 6 to 8 determine the total size of the leaving depressions in the lawn. inches of soil. Avoid tilling when Table 2. Arkansas phosphorus and potassium recommendations for established and newly planted lawns.

Phosphorus Fertilizer Recommendations Potassium Fertilizer Recommendations

Soil Test P Level and Concentration Range (ppm) Soil Test K Level and Concentration Range (ppm)

Below Optimum Above Optimum Below Optimum Above Optimum

≤ 25 > 25 ≤ 100 > 100

2 2 ------P Fertilizer Rate, lbs P2O5/1,000 ft /yr ------K Fertilizer Rate, lbs K2O/1,000 ft /yr ------

2 0 2 0

Table 3. Arkansas lime recommendations for newly planted lawns.

Soil Texture Soil Water pH Level Interpretation

Below Optimum Medium Optimum High

Soil Test Ca < 5.0 5.0 - 5.4 5.5 - 5.7 5.8 - 6.2 6.3 - 6.9 > 6.9

2 ppm ------lbs CaCO3 lime/1,000 ft ------

< 500 80* 57 46 0 0 0

500 - 1,500 115 92 69 0 0 0

1,501 - 2,250 138 115 92 0 0 0

> 2,250 138 138 115 0 0 0

*Lime rates are for CaCO3 (Ag lime) sources that contain a 90% Calcium Carbonate Equivalent. Adjust the lime rate for other sources of lime. the soil is too wet to avoid heavy steel drag mat, soil blade, relation to walks and driveways. damaging the soil structure. For plank drag or tiller. Allow one Driveways and walks should be more information on liming, see week for the soil to settle before about 1/2 inch above the soil sur­ FSA6134, Liming Your Lawn. final grading. Irrigation or signifi­ face to allow for the soil that cant rainfall will aid in settling comes on the sod. Fill any low 8. Install drainage and the soil. A properly prepared spots that collect and hold water irrigation. planting bed should be firm after irrigation or rainfall. enough to walk on with the top 1/2 Install subsurface drainage Take care not to destroy or inch of soil loosened. The soil will and irrigation before final grading damage existing trees. Tilling require further watering or rolling and smoothing. Drainage lines around trees will cut a large if footprints are deeper than 1/2 are usually placed 6 to 18 inches percentage of a tree’s surface inch. During final soil preparation, deep. Place irrigation pipe below roots, which can weaken or kill examine height and slope of soil in the frost line and normal tillage the tree. Trees can also be killed depth (12 to 18 inches). Work to by placing large amounts of soil complete the grading before dig­ over the roots because this ging irrigation trenches and practice deprives the roots of installing heads, because it will oxygen. If significant grade be difficult to use large grading changes are needed, it is recom­ equipment without damaging the mended that a root-aerating installed irrigation components. tree well be constructed by an experienced professional. 9. Final grading. When to Lay Sod Final grading should leave the soil surface ready for planting. Figure 2. Loosening the soil to a Many landscapers lay sod Use hand rake for small areas depth of 0.5 inches prior to sod successfully year-round. Sodding (Figure 2). Larger areas require a installation helps with rooting. in spring or early summer while grasses are actively growing moist, then it is likely healthy and Installation allows rapid rooting. Giving warm- you can go ahead and install the season grasses time to develop an sod. To ensure its health, a small Lay sod soon after it is extensive root system before cold piece of sod can be brought indoors delivered. The longer the sod sits weather arrives enhances their (> 70°F) and kept moist. The sod on the pallet, the more it will dete­ ability to resist winter injury. Also, should green-up and begin grow­ riorate. This is especially impor­ planting during May and June ing within 10 days if it is healthy. tant when dormant sodding. coincides with the time when the Laying dormant sod quickly after chances of rainfall are greatest, Sod arrives on wooden pallets, delivery will help protect the sod thus reducing dependence on irri­ each stacked with 50 square yards from freeze injury because of the gation. Sodding bermudagrass any of grass. Sod weighs about 35 to latent heat in the soil. Lay the time there are three to four weeks 40 pounds per square yard. Pieces first strip of sod along a straight of good growing weather remain­ are typically 18 inches wide and edge, such as a driveway or side­ ing is generally successful. Zoysia- 24 inches long, but vary depending walk, with subsequent strips grass is somewhat slower to root on the particular cutting machine. placed parallel and tightly against than bermudagrass and needs The charge for the sod will likely the first strip. If there are only more time to become well estab­ include a $4 to $8 deposit on each curves, lay at right angles to the lished. Allow approximately six to pallet. Try to be there when the curve. In irregular areas, use a eight weeks for zoysiagrass to sod arrives so the pallets are posi­ string to establish a straight line become well rooted. tioned strategically to minimize (Figure 3). Butt joints tightly to the distance pieces are carried for prevent root drying, but do not Due to construction deadlines, installation. Documentation overlap (Figure 4). On the second it is sometimes necessary to lay should be provided during delivery row, stagger the joints as when sod during winter months when that guarantees the species and laying bricks (Figure 4). Use a warm-season grasses are dor­ cultivar of turfgrass requested. sharp knife or sod knife to cut sod mant. Dormant sodding can be Inspect the sod before acceptance to fit curves, edges and sprinkler successful but is more risky than of the shipment to make sure its heads. Try to avoid short or nar­ sodding in the spring and early quality is adequate. row strips because they tend to summer due to increased risk of winter desiccation and injury. The same site preparations dis­ cussed previously also apply to dormant sodding turf.

First Watering Prior to planting, water to moisten the soil. It is important to schedule this watering in advance to avoid a muddy site when sod installation begins. Do not lay sod Figure 3. Install the first piece along a Figure 5. Rolling eliminates on dry soil. Even if sod is watered straight edge. irregularities and establishes good immediately after being laid on contact between the sod and soil. dry soil, root growth will be retarded.

Delivery Prepare the site before scheduling delivery of the sod. Make sure the sod is moist, freshly cut, delivered within 24 hours of harvest and protected from sun and wind during transport. It is difficult to determine whether dor­ Figure 4. On each row of sod, stagger Figure 6. Begin to water the lawn thor- mant sod is healthy at the time of the joints as when laying bricks. oughly after the sod is installed and delivery. If the soil on the sod is rolled. dry rapidly. As a rule of thumb, Monitor soil moisture throughout centipedegrass, St. Augustine- don’t use pieces less than 9 inches the winter until new roots grass and zoysiagrass. wide or 18 inches long. Always develop in late spring. place trimmed pieces on the Common Mistakes inside. Mound soil against exposed Mowing edges to protect it from drying if Although many mistakes are After the sod is well rooted, the entire area is not sodded. made when establishing a lawn cut with a sharp mower to avoid When sodding slopes, start at the using sod, a few mistakes occur tearing and pulling the grass. bottom. On steep slopes, peg both more frequently. These mistakes Start off at a slightly higher mow­ ends of the sod strip with wooden include: pegs on the high side of each piece. ing height than what is ultimately To avoid starting erosion, carefully desired. Despite all efforts to • Lack of irrigation or monitor the amount of water create a smooth surface with good inadequate irrigation during applied to slopes. site preparation and planting, summer, especially to sod some undulations will still remain. edges (Figures 7-9) Do not lay the whole lawn Mowing slightly higher initially before watering. When a conve­ will prevent scalping of the newly niently large area is sodded, sodded lawn. water lightly to prevent drying. Continue to lay sod and water Fertilization until installation is complete. Apply fertilizer four weeks Rolling after installation. One pound of nitrogen per 1,000 ft2 is a good Roll the lawn after laying all target rate. Delay nitrogen fertil­ the sod (Figure 5). Rolling elimi­ izer applications until April or nates irregularities and estab­ May (after full green-up) if sod is lishes good contact between the installed in the off-season while Figure 7. Inadequate irrigation sod and soil. Fill the roller dormant. For more information distribution on a newly sodded bermudagrass lawn. partially with water to provide the on fertilizing, see FSA2114, necessary weight. Fertilizing Your Lawn. Second Watering Herbicides As soon as the sod is installed Some preemergence herbicides and rolled, begin to water the applied prior to sod installation in lawn thoroughly (Figure 6). spring or summer can reduce Moisten the soil to a depth of 6 rooting and establishment. Avoid inches. Irrigate daily at midday applying any herbicide except until the sod becomes well rooted, glyphosate within two months usually about 10 days. After the prior to sod installation. After sod sod is established, decrease the installation in spring or summer, frequency and increase the Figure 8. Inadequate irrigation of a most preemergence and postemer­ newly sodded zoysiagrass lawn. amount of water per application. gence herbicides can be used on Most grasses are fairly well newly sodded turf 30 days after rooted within 10 to 14 days if sod installation. watered properly. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to keep people off Research indicates pre­ the lawn for three to four weeks emergence and postemergence until the grass has become well herbicides applied to dormant anchored. Irrigate dormant sod­ sodded bermudagrass and tall ded turf similarly despite the fact fescue 45 days after sod installa­ it is not actively growing. Lack of tion do not reduce establishment. irrigation is the number one rea­ Similarly, we recommend waiting son dormant sodding is unsuc­ about 60 days after sod installa­ cessful. Additionally, warm-season tion before applying herbicides, Figure 9. Sod edges drying out on according to label recommenda­ grasses do not have the ability to this newly sodded bermudagrass produce new roots during winter. tions, to dormant sodded lawn. • Lack of irrigation of dormant sodded areas (Figure 10) • Poor spacing of sod seams (Figures 11 and 12) • Purchasing/installing sod more than 24 hours after harvesting (Figures 13 and 14) Additional fact sheets available at http://publications. Figure 10. Winterkill of bermudagrass Figure 13. Do not purchase sod more uaex.uada.edu/. sod laid in early winter due to insuffi- than 24 hours after harvesting. Plant cient irrigation during winter (left and fresh material. Additional information about right). Some areas were resodded in turf management available at late winter and survived (center). http://turf.uark.edu/.

References Ferrell, J.A., T.R. Murphy and W.K. Vencill. 2003. Tolerance of winter-installed tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and hybrid bermudagrass (Cynodon transvaalensis x C. dactylon) sod to herbicides. Weed Tech. 17(3):521-525.

Figure 11. Overlapping sod seams Figure 14. Do not purchase sod more Fishel, F.M., and G.E. Coats. 1994. during installation will cause than 24 hours after harvesting. Plant Bermudagrass (Cynodon desiccation. fresh material. dactylon) sod rooting as influenced by preemergence herbicides. Weed Tech. 8(1):46-49.

Figure 12. Too much space between sod seams during installation will cause drying.

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DR. AARON PATTON is assistant professor - turfgrass specialist Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Cooperative June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Extension Service, Fayetteville. DR. JOHN W. BOYD is professor and Director, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas. The weed scientist, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible Extension Service, Little Rock. persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, FSA2042-PD-9-07RV and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.